Can I use empty mayonnaise and spaghetti jars that have threads to use the
same size rings and lids as Ball jars?

Most commercial pint- and quart-size mayonnaise or salad dressing jars
can be used with two-piece rings/lids for canning acid foods in a water
bath canner. I've used them for decades, myself. However, you should expect
slightly more seal failures and jar breakage. These jars have a narrower
sealing surface, are tempered less than Mason jars, and may be weakened by
repeated contact with metal spoons or knives used in dispensing mayonnaise
or salad dressing. Seemingly insignificant scratches in glass may cause
cracking and breakage while processing jars in a canner. I've personally
found that the "Classico" brand spaghetti jars hold up VERY well - I don't
think I've ever had one break! On the other hand, mayonnaise jars are more
fragile, and definitely not recommended for use with foods to be processed
in a pressure canner because of excessive jar breakage. Other commercial
jars with mouths that cannot be sealed with two-piece canning lids are not
recommended for use in canning food at home.

I am looking for jars that have at least one side that is not embossed
with either a company name or some other decoration. It just does not look very
professional to place a label on top of a cluster of fruit/veggies. Do you know
where I can get either plain jars or jars with at least one side that is plain?

Yes. I found that the "Golden Harvest / Mason" brand of canning jars only
have their raised logo/words embossing on 1 "side" or face of the jars - in
other words, 3/4 of the jar is smooth. I have found them in Big Lots,
sometimes groecry stores and big Box store. And online (see this
Amazon ad at right - buying them here does contribute to this website, by the way!)

How would you go about using non-canning jars for canning sauce ?
In other words, not using mason jars but other jars with screw on lids?
Would you go about it the same way or is there a different way? My concern
would be the lids and having them sealing properly.

Well, the "authorities" all say NEVER use anything but Ball / Kerr and
other canning jars. In practice, many home canners find (through practice)
that certain products (like Classico brand spaghetti sauce) are packaged in
jars that are the same specification as commercial home canning jars./p>

And that's about it- it the lid and ring fits and the lid seals, the only
other concern is whether the glass is thick enough to withstand the usual
home canner banging it around. I've had a few "Miracle Whip" jars break, so
I don't use those anymore, but the Classico's work fine for me. I don't
recall ever having one break on me in the past 25 years. Note that
the Classico's manufacturer does not recommend reuse of their jars: here is
what they say
on this page:

"Can I reuse the Classico jar for home
canning?
No. A coating is applied at the glass plant to reduce scratching and
scuffing. If scratched, the jar becomes weaker at this point and can
more easily break. This would increase the risk of the jar breaking when
used for canning. Also, the lighter weight of our current jar could make
it unsafe for home canning. "

Stuck lids on new jars - I just purchased a dozen Kerr 1/2
pint jars with lids. When I was getting ready to wash the jars I noticed that
the lids were fairly difficult to get of the glass. They are new and so are the
lids however I am concerned that the lids have a dent in the rubber(?) or
sealing part. Can they still be used?"

I've noticed that, too, from time to time. They were probably stored in a hot warehouse or
on a hot truck. But, after I pried them off, I've never had a problem with the jars failing to seal properly, so I'd say go ahead and use them.

A neighbor generously gave me 2 boxes of canning jars that are the old
fashioned glass top with a wire on the top (lightening jars perhaps?) There
isn't any rubber gasket on these and I wondered if I should try to find them in
the store or if the jars should be reserved for non-canning uses, like dry food
storage or decoration. Do you recommend using these old jars or should I keep to
my typical top and ring jars

Stick to the lid and ring types. The others leak and spoil at a
noticeably higher rate. They're not really safe for vegetables. The
type with the glass lid with a gas and a wire to hold it down works ok for
jam, since jam doesn't spoil as readily and is high in acid. But, really,
they're only for decoration these days. The Ball/Kerr/Mason ring and
lid types are SO much more reliable and safer.

I have the opportunity to buy the wire-bail-top canning jars (described in
the previous question) VERY inexpensively about the price of the ball jars
and lids regular mouth. I need to ensure I can use these in food canning. These
are not previously used, but I can't find online instructions for canning with
them. Help?

Instructions, aside from sealing / closing the jars, they're the same as
other jars. You just need to be scrupulous about wiping the sealing surfaces
before closing the lid after filling, and making sure it seated properly.

Breakage can occur for several reasons: 1. Using commercial food jars
rather than jars manufactured for home canning, 2. Using jars that have
hairline cracks, 3. Putting jars directly on bottom of canner instead of on
a rack, 4. Putting hot food in cold jars, or 5. Putting jars of raw or
unheated food directly into boiling water in the canner, rather than into
hot water (sudden change in temperature-too wide a margin between
temperature of filled jars and water in canner before processing).See this page for more
information!

One or more canning jar manufacturers are selling half-gallon canning
jars. One manufacturer has a printed note on the top that says half-gallon
jars are only used for some highly acidic foods in a boiling water canner.

There are no other research-tested processes for half-gallon jars.
Boiling water processes for other foods for jars larger than those published
with recipes (usually pints and/or quarts) cannot be extended by any formula
to a larger jar.

We are aware that there are historical recommendations for canning foods
in half-gallon jars. However, these are not currently accepted or endorsed
by the USDA, Cooperative Extension System or U.S. manufacturers of home
canning jars.

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